Start with the pattern, not a guess
Pop-ups, browser redirects, unwanted programs, account alerts, and remote-access activity require different responses. Avoid calling numbers in warnings or installing another unknown cleanup tool.
Practical checks and decisions
Work from observation to one controlled change at a time. Stop when the next step could risk data, accounts, electrical safety, or additional hardware damage.
Stop and note exactly what happened
End the contact and do not use a phone number, link, download, or payment instruction supplied by the warning. Preserve the message, number, receipt, software name, and order of events.
Change exposed passwords from a trusted device
From a separate trusted device, protect email and financial access first. Contact banks and account providers through independently verified channels and change only credentials that may have been exposed.
Check email and financial accounts for new activity
Disconnect unexpected remote access and do not continue arguing with the caller. Record whether the person saw the screen, installed software, opened accounts, received a code, or obtained payment information.
Scan the computer and preserve messages for follow-up
Review active sessions, forwarding rules, recovery methods, installed remote tools, and unfamiliar transactions. The response should match the access that actually occurred, not the scammer’s claims.
When a professional diagnosis makes sense
Get help promptly when money, passwords, email, remote access, or unfamiliar account activity may be involved. Preserve a timeline, end contact with the suspected scammer, and make urgent account changes from a separate trusted device.
For hands-on or remote help, explore the service options related to this issue, or browse the Help Center for another guide.
